LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — The Board of Health voted to join a pilot program through Berkshire Medical Center that would add Mobile Harm Reduction Services to the town.
The board signed a letter to the state Bureau of Infections, Disease & Laboratory Sciences. This letter informs the state that the Lanesborough Board of Health voted in favor of having the qualified and appropriate organizations operate a mobile syringe service.
"We look forward to sharing further guidance with the members of the Board of Health as to how MDPH will move to establish a program in Lanesborough as one of the town allowable pilot programs in the Commonwealth," the letter said.
Berkshire Harm Reduction presented during the last meeting, Tuesday, April 5, to demonstrate the advantages of having programs that they offered in the town including their Syringe Service Program, overdose education and naloxone distribution, education and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and many more.
This program is supported by the state Department of Public Health. The board was prepared to approve the program during the last meeting but were concerned that town counsel would not accept the decision because it was too vague on the agenda item.
BOH Chairman Lawrence Spatz said, "I guess, in some instances, it can be controversial. The harm reduction approach has been at times controversial. We'll see what happens.”
The program would provide convenience, safety, and education to the town through the town in an effort to reach areas where transportation may be challenging.
The Harm Reduction Mobile Unit travels to locations throughout the region for safe syringe exchange, overdose prevention, testing, risk reduction education, basic wound care, and more services.
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Millers, Thunder Win Berkshire Adult Baseball League Titles
The Berkshire Thunder and GB Millers each swept their way to Berkshire Adult Baseball League titles over the weekend.
At Wahconah Park on Sunday, the Thunder edged the Dalton Moneymakers, 6-5, to wrap up their best-of-three championship series in the 33-and-over division of the BABL.
The Thunder, which won the opener, 6-1, on Saturday, got a strong pitching performance from three different players in Game 2.
Joe Bateman, Cory Hillard and Seamus Morrison combined to allow just two earned runs in the title clincher.
Hillard got the win with four innings of work in relief, scattering four hits and allowing all five runs -- three unearned as the Thunder committed four errors behind him.
Morrison gave up a hit in the seventh but picked up the save by not allowing a run.
At the plate, Johnny Goodnow and Jake Barbarotta led the Thunder's offense, each collecting two hits and two RBIs.
Building and Grounds Superintendent Jeff Burch updated the board during the Select Board meeting on Monday on the work being done to improve the conditions of the Town Hall basement where the police station is located.
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In late June, the restoration committee unanimously voted to move from the schematic design to the design development phase that will deliver full architectural and engineering plans. click for more
Mill Town Capital is continuing its investment in the city by purchasing 4.7 acres of Site 9, William Stanley Business Park's largest parcel. click for more